STEVE Tilson believes whoever wins tonight’s tie at Roots Hall will go on to win promotion.

And he is certain that will be Southend United.

Tilson, who spent seven years in charge of Blues before being replaced by Paul Sturrock, watched the first leg at Gresty Road live on television as Crewe triumphed 1-0.

Yet he remains convinced Southend can still progress to the final and secure a return to League One.

“I really do think Blues will go out there and do what they have to do tonight,” said Tilson, 45.

“For the first 30 minutes on Saturday I thought they showed Crewe too much respect and that led to them having too much time and space on the ball.

“But, after that, Southend were more on the front foot and started to close them down much more.

“In the second half they also created some good chances and I don’t losing 1-0 was that much of a bad result for Blues.

“I certainly think they can go through and whoever does win this game tonight I really do fancy to go on and win promotion.”

Tilson, who also made close to 300 appearances for Southend as a player, was in charge of the club when they last won promotion via the play-offs back in 2005.

Just like this season, Blues narrowly missed out on a top three finish that year.

But he does not feel it was difficult to bounce back from that disappointment.

“The chance to win promotion doesn’t come around too often so when you’re in the play-offs you can be down and I don’t think teams ever would be,” said Tilson.

“The rewards are so great if you go up and you can get to play better teams in better stadiums and, to be honest, going up through the play-offs is probably the best way to do it.

“We got to play at the Millennium Stadium and won which is something none of us who will there will ever forget while this year it’s at Wembley which would also be amazing.

“There’s also extra money to generate for the club but you have to get to the final first.

“I remember our semi-finals against Northampton being very nervy and that’s the worst stage to lose.”

Blues learnt that four years later, when they were thrashed 5-1 on aggregate by Doncaster Rovers in the League One play-offs.

And Tilson still remains impressed by the standard of the Doncaster display that evening.

“We were beaten by a much better team and Doncaster were fantastic in that first half,” recalled Tilson.

“We weren’t at our best and it was hard to take.”

Two years later Tilson was dismissed from his position at Roots Hall and, after an unsuccessful spell at Lincoln City, he ended last season coaching at Dagenham and Redbridge.

However, he still remains keen to return to management and has applied for the vacant position at Gillingham.

“I’ve made no secret that I’ve gone for the job there,” said Tilson.

“It was fun being involved with Dagenham and John Still does a fantastic job there.

“But I wasn’t to get back to being manager again and hopefully I’ll get that chance soon.”